Proctoscope



y 1 9 Q M. H. KOWAN v 6 PRoc'rosc oPE Filed Aug. 5, 1947 Patented May 10, 1949 UNITED STATES OFFICE 1 Claim.

My invention relates to a proctoscope, especially designed for use in explorations of the rectum and anal canal, and for use during the treatment of hemmorrhoids, tumors, crypts and other rectal diseases.

The principal objects of my invention are, to generally improve upon and simplify the construction of the existing forms of similar instruments, further, to construct the instrument with a bulbous forward end which is engaged by the sphincter muscle so as to firmly maintain the instrument in proper position for use, and further, to provide the instrument with a longitudinally disposed slot or opening which, as the instrument is rotated, exposes all portions of the surrounding surface of the rectum, thus enabling the physician to make a complete diagnosis and render proper treatment for existing ailments.

A further object of my invention is, to provide means on the outer end of the instrument for receiving the ends of the thumb and index finger of the operators hand, thus enabling convenient rotation of the instrument while examining and treating that portion of the surrounding rectal surface which is exposed through the slot in the wall of the instrument.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts which will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed and illustrated on the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan View of my improved proctoscope.

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a front end view of the instrument.

Fig. 4 is a cross section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawing, which illustrates a preferred embodiment of my invention, l designates the hollow cylindrical body of the instrument, which is preferably formed of hard rubber, plastics or the like, and said body having a hollow bulbous forward end I I, the greatest diameter of which is slightly greater than the diameter of body Ill.

The rear end of body It! terminates in an outwardly projecting flange l2, and formed in the top of said body and flange is a longitudinally disposed inspection slot I3, having a width of approximately ninety degrees more or less, with its forward end terminating in the rear portion of bulbous forward end ll.

Depending from flange l2 diametrically opposite the open rear end of slot I3 is an outwardly curved handle I4 and formed in flange l2 between the slot and handle are notches l5 adapted to 2 receive the ends of the thumb and index finger of the users hand.

In using the improved proctoscope, same is inserted in the rectum and the contracting pressure of the sphincter muscle upon and to the rear of the bulbous forward end I l, acts to retain the instrument in its inserted position.

Slot l3 exposes for examination and treatment, a substantial area of the surrounding surface of the rectum and by rotating the instrument in either direction, the entire surrounding surface may be readily exposed for examination and/or treatment.

The instrument may be rotated by means of the handle It, or by placing the ends of the thumb and index finger in the notches I5 and exerting rotary pressure.

Due to the self retaining attribute of the proctoscope, the physician is able to make full examinations and treatment of the rectal areas without requiring the services of a nurse or assistant.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided a proctoscope which is simple in structure, inexpensive of manufacture, self retained while in use and affords maximum convenience and efiectiveness in the exploration, treatment and surgery of the lower portion of the rectum and anal canal.

Minor changes in the size, form and construction of the various parts of my improved proctoscope may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is set forth in the appended claim.

I claim as my invention:

A proctoscope comprising a hollow cylindrical body, a pointed hollow bulbous member on the forward end of said body, a circumferential flange projecting laterally from the rear end of said body, there being a longitudinally disposed slot formed in said body and extending a short distance into the inner end portion of said bulbous member and through said flange, and a handle depending from said flange opposite from said slot and there being notches formed in said flange between said slot and handle and at right angles thereto to serve as fingerholds.

MAURICE H. KOWAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 267,906 Law Nov. 21, 1882 295,798 Pagett Mar. 25, 1884 344,984 Price July 6, 1886 1,429,426 Henker Sept. 19, 1922 

